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651-4056-00L 3 Credits BSC , MSC D-USYS , D-ERDW
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Limnogeology

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Adrian Gilli, Prof. Dr. Nathalie Dubois, Dr. Katrina Kremer
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:33:25

Abstract

This course links lakes, their subsurface and their environment. It will be discussed how lake sediments record past environmental changes (e.g. climate, human impact, natural hazards) and how lake sediments can be used to reconstruct these changes. Emphasis is also given on the modern limnologic processes essential in interpreting the fossil record. Field and laboratory work is foreseen.

Objective

Students are able to - explain and discuss the role of lake sediments as archives of environmental change. - plan an own limnogeologic campaign, i.e. finding, recovering, analyzing and interpreting the sedimentary lake archive to solve a particular scientific question. - examine the complexity of a lake system with all its connection to the environment. - relate subaerial processes with subaquatic processes. - identify processes around and in lakes causing natural hazards.

Content

Content of the course: Introduction - Lakes, the small oceans History of Limnogeology. Limnogeologic campaigns The water column: Aquatic physics (currents, waves, oscillations, etc.). Sediments caught in the water: sediment traps Geophysical survey methods (multibeam bathymetry, seismics) Large open perialpine lakes. Laminations in lake sediments: Clastic vs. biochemical varves. Chronostratigraphic dating of lake sediments Lake sediments as proxies for climate change Lake sediments as recorder of anthropogenic impact The class includes 2 lectures as fieldwork on Lake Zurich. Introduction to themes of Lake Zurich fieldwork. Limnogeological methods on the lake and in the laboratory: various sampling and surveying techniques (water analysis, seismic surveying, sediment coring, laboratory analyses). Seismic-to-core correlation and interpretation

Resources

Lecture Notes

Will be distributed in each class unit.

Literature

Will be distributed in each class unit.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC , MSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance
Die Leistungskontrolle findet in Form einer schriftlichen Semesterarbeit statt

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture with exercise Limnogeology
  • Thu 10:15-12:00 (HG F 26.5)
2 h weekly

Offered In